How to Apply EI regular benefits After Job Loss

If you’ve recently lost your job, you’re likely worried about how to cover your expenses. Fortunately, EI regular benefits are meant to help you by providing temporary financial support if you lose your job through no fault of your own, such as a layoff or shortage of work.

While most Canadians know Employment Insurance exists, many don’t fully understand how it works until their claim is delayed or denied. This often comes as a surprise, especially when people believe they should qualify.

Our guide below walks through how to apply and what to expect after you submit your application, so you can avoid delays and common mistakes.

What are EI Regular Benefits?

EI regular benefits provide temporary income replacement for Canadian workers who lose employment through no fault of their own, and they are actively seeking work.

The program pays 55% of your average insurable earnings, up to a maximum of $729 per week as of January 1, 2026.

The term “regular” distinguishes these unemployment benefits from other EI benefits like maternity, parental, sickness, and caregiving benefits.

That said, EI regular benefits specifically cover job loss situations, including layoffs, shortage of work, seasonal or mass layoffs.

Self-employed workers cannot access EI regular benefits unless they previously opted into the EI program and paid premiums on their self-employment income. Most standard EI coverage comes automatically through payroll deductions for employees working under an employer’s authority.

Do You Qualify for EI Regular Benefits?

To qualify for EI regular benefits, you must meet two mandatory requirements: you lost your job through no fault of your own, and you have accumulated enough “insurable hours” during your qualifying period.

This is the first and most important rule. You must have lost your job through no fault of your own. This includes situations like:

• A layoff due to a shortage of work
• Your seasonal job is ending
• Your position is being eliminated

You will not qualify if you quit your job without a very good reason (like unsafe working conditions) or if you were fired for misconduct.

You also must have worked a minimum number of insurable hours, typically between 420 and 700, within your “qualifying period.” The exact number of hours you need depends on the unemployment rate in your specific region. If you received a notice of violation, the required hours are higher. On top of these, you must also be ready, willing, and able to work each day.

Your “qualifying period” is usually the 52 weeks directly before you apply for benefits, or the time elapsed since your last EI claim began, whichever is shorter. In certain situations, like if you had an extended time away from the workforce for specific reasons, this period can be stretched up to 104 weeks.

In addition to these criteria, you must also have been without work and without pay for at least 7 consecutive days in the last 52 weeks. This waiting period requirement ensures the program serves workers facing genuine job loss rather than brief work interruptions.

Source: Canada.ca – EI Regular Benefits – Eligibility

How Much EI Regular Benefit Can You Receive?

As a general rule, you can receive 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings. As of January 1, 2026, the maximum payment you can receive is $729 per week.

This is the most important part to understand: Service Canada does not use your earnings from every single week. Instead, they calculate your average pay using only your highest-earning weeks from the past year, often called your “best weeks.”

They will use between 14 and 22 of your highest-paid weeks. The number of weeks they use, ranging from 14 to 22, is tied directly to the unemployment rate in your region. In areas with high unemployment (13.1% or more), they only use your best 14 weeks. In areas with low unemployment (6% or less), they use your best 22 weeks.

The basic formula is: (Total earnings from your best weeks ÷ Number of best weeks) x 55% = Your weekly EI payment.

Your average earnings are calculated using your gross pay, which includes:

• Regular wages and salary
• Commissions and bonuses
• Overtime pay
• Vacation pay

It’s important to note that severance pay is handled differently and doesn’t count towards this calculation. Tips are also not included unless your employer reported them as insurable earnings on your record of employment.

The most reliable way to understand what you may receive is to use the official EI Benefits Estimator on the Canada.ca website.

Source: Canada.ca – EI Regular Benefits – Benefit Amount

How many weeks of EI Regular benefits can you receive?

You can receive EI for a period of 14 to 45 weeks. The exact duration depends on two factors: the number of insurable hours you accumulated in the last year and the unemployment rate in your region. Essentially, the more hours you’ve worked and the higher the unemployment rate is where you live, the longer your benefit period will be.

To give you an idea of how this works, consider these examples:

• If you worked 700 hours in a region with 6% unemployment, you would receive approximately 19 weeks of benefits.
• If you worked 1,400 hours in a region with 13% unemployment, you would receive approximately 42 weeks of benefits.

Your official and exact benefit duration will be confirmed in your benefit statement after Service Canada processes your application.

How to Apply for EI Regular Benefits (Step-by-Step)

You need to apply online through your My Service Canada Account as soon as you stop working. Below are the steps:

Step 1: Gather Your Information

Before you log in, you need to have the following ready:

• Your Social Insurance Number
• Your banking information (financial institution name, transit number, account number)
• Your employment details for the last 52 weeks (employer names, addresses, employment dates, reason for separation, total hours worked).

Step 2: Sign In to Your My Service Canada Account (MSCA)

You can use your usual login method (like GCKey or a verified sign-in partner) to access your account.

If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create one. Your MSCA is the main tool you will use to check the status of your claim and submit your mandatory bi-weekly reports.

Step 3: Start the Online EI Application

You need to fill out the application and answer questions about each job you held in the qualifying period.

Be sure to provide accurate employer contact information because Service Canada will verify your employment and separation details. If you have multiple employers, complete a separate employment section for each one.

Step 4: Explain Your Reason for Leaving (If You Quit or Were Fired)

If you quit or were fired, provide a detailed written explanation of what happened. Service Canada will contact your employer for their version of events, so be honest and specific.

Include dates, names of supervisors involved, and any documentation you have (emails, warnings, medical notes). Your credibility matters significantly in separation disputes.

Step 5: Review and Submit Your Application

Review all information carefully, then submit your application and record your confirmation number. You’ll receive this number immediately after submission; save it for reference if you need to call Service Canada about your claim.

Important Reminders:

• You can apply even if you don’t have your Record of Employment (ROE) yet. Your employer has 5 calendar days after your final pay period to issue your ROE electronically to Service Canada. Do not wait for your ROE to apply.
• Set up direct deposit during the application process to receive payments approximately 2 business days after your bi-weekly report is processed, whereas receiving payment by cheque will take longer, as it depends on mail delivery times.

Source: EI regular benefits Apply – canada.ca

What happens after you apply for EI regular benefits?

Once you’ve submitted your Employment Insurance (EI) application, the process involves a few key steps from both you and Service Canada. Here’s a clear breakdown of what happens next.

The Decision Process

Service Canada’s goal is to process your application and issue a decision within 28 days. While this standard is met for about 80% of claims, delays can happen.

Common reasons for a delay include:

• Your employer hasn’t submitted your Record of Employment (ROE).
• Service Canada needs more information or documents from you.
• The reason you left your job needs to be verified.

If you stated that you quit or were dismissed, Service Canada will contact your former employer to confirm the circumstances. Your employer has the right to provide their side of the story. The final decision will be based on the information provided by both you and your employer.

Your immediate Responsibility: Biweekly Reports

You must start completing reports for Service Canada immediately after you apply, even before your claim is approved. These reports confirm your eligibility for each two-week period. If you submit your reports late or not at all, you will not be paid for those weeks.

To complete your reports, you will need a 4-digit access code. This code will be mailed to you in a benefit statement after you apply. Keep this code in a safe place, as you will need it every time you file a report over the phone or online.

How to Check Your Claim Status

The easiest way to track your application is through your My Service Canada Account (MSCA). Once your application is processed, the “Latest Claim” section will show you important details, including:

• Your claim’s start and end date.
• Your weekly benefit payment amount.
• The total number of weeks you are entitled to receive benefits.

Receiving Your First Payment

Once you have submitted your application with all the required documents, Service Canada’s service standard is to provide you with a decision within 28 days. The actual timing of your first payment depends on when your claim is finalized and after you begin submitting your mandatory biweekly reports.

However, your first payment will not cover your first week of unemployment. This is known as the one-week waiting period. Think of it like an insurance deductible; you are not paid for this first week, but it still counts as part of your benefit period. Under certain circumstances, this waiting period may be waived.

If Your Claim is Denied

If your application is not approved, Service Canada will contact you by phone or mail to explain the reason for the decision.

You have the right to appeal this decision. You must ask for a reconsideration of the decision within 30 days from the date you were notified. This is your opportunity to submit new information or evidence that could support your claim.

Top 5 Reasons EI Regular Benefit Claims Are Denied (and How to Avoid Them)

Many EI regular benefit claims are denied, not because people are ineligible, but because of common mistakes that could have been avoided.

Voluntary quit without just cause

Generally, resigning because you found a better opportunity, want to travel, dislike your boss, or feel stressed will not qualify as ‘just cause.’

To have a valid reason for quitting, you need strong evidence. For example, quitting for medical reasons requires a doctor’s certificate stating that continuing to work posed a direct risk to your health.

If you left due to harassment or discrimination, you must show that you filed written complaints with your employer or a human rights agency before you resigned. The key takeaway is to document everything before you resign.

Dismissal for misconduct

Being fired doesn’t automatically disqualify you from EI. What matters is why you were fired. Service Canada needs to decide if it was for “misconduct.”

• What usually ISN’T misconduct: A one-time mistake or simply not being skilled enough for the job, even though you were trying your best.
• What usually IS misconduct: Serious actions like theft or violence, or repeatedly breaking a rule after you’ve already been warned about it.

If you were fired, your goal is to show that you didn’t lose your job because you did something wrong on purpose. To help prove your case, gather any documents you have, such as positive performance reviews, warning letters, or statements from co-workers that support your side of the story.

Insufficient insurable hours

Even if your calculation shows you’re 20 or 30 hours short, apply anyway. Employers sometimes report more hours than you tracked, or Service Canada may count partial weeks differently. The worst outcome is a denial you can appeal, but not applying means you definitely receive nothing.

Late application

If you apply more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you may permanently lose benefits for those weeks.

The benefits are not delayed; they are forfeited. Apply the same week you stop working, even if you don’t have your Record of Employment yet.

Should your claim be denied, you have 30 days to formally ask for a reconsideration. You must provide new, compelling evidence to support your case, like written statements, medical notes, contact information for witnesses, or a log of your job search.

The bottom line

Getting EI regular benefits isn’t complicated once you understand the basics. Most people wait about a month for their first payment, and you’ll keep getting paid every two weeks as long as you submit your reports on time and keep job hunting.

The real key to avoiding problems? Be honest about everything. Tell Service Canada when you start working, even part-time. Report all the money you got when you left your job.

Frequently Asked Questions About EI Regular Benefits in Canada